A few weeks back I considered changing out the windshield on my 202 to the "low profile" smoked windscreen.  Initial prices were too high and I started to think about buying a new lpx etc.  Reality set in and I got past the fever!!!  Anyway, recently I began to investigate the possiblity of just installing the lpx windscreen on my boat.  I found a reasonable price and got ready to press the buttom when the CL folks tell me that you do realize that if you change the windshield that your bimini top will no longer fit!  Ouch.  Also, the snap-on cover will not fit.  I'm a realitively new boater and certainly don't know much of the tech stuff...but I would have thought the dealer who was ordering the new windshield and doing the install would have know that???  I tinted the one that came on the boat and it looks good, but I don't like the silver frame around it.  If it were all black I think it would look better.  I wonder if the metal around my present windshield can be painted?  (something that wouldn't look cheesy)

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Marshal L. McKellar
2006 202BR ALPHA I
5.0L 260HP MPI

Don't be disappointed, you've got all the reasons to be happy you didn't pull the trigger! If you did, you probably had to buy new covers as well.

Do you have an aluminium or stainless steel frame? In both cases, it will be difficult to paint. To avoid a cheesy look, your best option would be to have it anodised. This requires major surgery however.

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Stefan

2008 275CCR 496MAG B3
"Arosa"

Mine sort of looks like a matte finish.  It's probably alum.  It def isn't chrome or stainless steel.

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Marshal L. McKellar
2006 202BR ALPHA I
5.0L 260HP MPI

Marshal McKellar:

Mine sort of looks like a matte finish.  It's probably alum.  It def isn't chrome or stainless steel.

 

If so, then black anodize or powder-coating would be your best options.   

 

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Joe & Lori
Denver, Colorado
2006 252 EX
6.2 Merc. Bravo III

I was going to suggest powder coating it as well.  You will need to pull the entire windshield off to get it done, but it would end up looking good.

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Craig and Marci
Zach, Brady and Caden
2005 275CCR, 496 mag

I was thinking that it would "probably" look even better than the low-profile version if it was all black.  Seems like even the smallest things you want to change or do to a boat cost a small fortune.  Hence the analogy  B.O.A.T. = Break Out Another Thousand.  Someone told me that on the forum a while back!!  I ain't got a clue where to get something like that done??

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Marshal L. McKellar
2006 202BR ALPHA I
5.0L 260HP MPI

Here's a few places you can look into Marshal...http://www.plantfloor.com/states/tx/tx_metalworking_metalfinishing.htm

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"Toy Story"

Y2K 266BR
454 Mag B-3

Hotrodders use powder coating. Check with some good shops. They will be able to advise you on a reputable local shop.

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Bill Cook
Saratoga Springs, NY
Charleston Lake, On
'08 200LS 5.0L

This is odd.  Yesterday I called CL and talked to a gentelman in tech support..I forget his name...anyway he said that my bimini top WILL work on the lowever windshield.  You just have to let out the straps far enough to compensate. Hmmmm.  But the dealer I'm talking with says that he will charge me 300-350 labor to do the swap and fix any holes.  However, they can't get a cost on the windshield itself from CL???  This is frustrating.

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Marshal L. McKellar
2006 202BR ALPHA I
5.0L 260HP MPI

  The front straps of the bimini on an LPX go to the boat body NOT to the windscreen. So you would need to put the new brackets on. I would assume you could attach the to the windscreen. As for the frame colour, The factory simply paints them and it eventually rubs of. I had to repaint mine last summer. I will be powder coating in the very near future. It would be nice if Crownline would consider this in the future, are we listen Crownline???

Joe & Terri Elliot

'99 202LPX {MOTLEY CREW}

 

I'm listening Joe!  LOL

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Jim Duff
Crownline Boats, Inc

I was going to suggest painting your windshield frame.

I painted the frame on one of my older boats, and had very good luck with it, and it looked ALOT better

The frame is aluminum, so it must be cleaned with a special prep solution, zinc-cromate or similar type primer, then a quality automotive grade paint. The paint can be mixed to give as much dullness or gloss that you want.  You can even even use a clearcoat.

This will hold up very well.

If you dont have painting experience you can get an estimate at your local bodyshop. The hardest part is masking everything off.

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2005 202 LPX
6.2L Bravo 1